Kenny Neal Wins Living Blues AwardAugust 3, 2011Hooked On Your Love, the most recent release from swamp blues master Kenny Neal, was named the winner of the 2011 Critics' Poll Living Blues Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album of the Year.

In its earlier review of the album, Living Blues said, "Maturity, joy that sounds both spirtually charged and hard-won, deep blues passion, and impeccable musicianship - what more can a blues-loving listener ask for?"

Calling the release "an instant modern blues classic," Offbeat magazine added, "Hooked On Your Love belongs at the top of a short list of this year's essential purchases."

Upon learning he'd won the Award, Kenny reminisced, "I can't believe it's been 31 years since I picked up my first Living Blues magazine and opened it up and read an article on myself entitled "Kenny Neal and the Neal Brothers." I can't describe the feeling that I got when I first saw the article; it wasn't because I was in the article but because someone cared about the Blues. I was so excited I caught a flight to Chicago from Toronto and found the Headquarters of Living Blues magazine. Knocked on the door and there were Jim and Amy O'Neal inviting me into their house. They took me on a grand tour down into the basement and showed me where Living Blues was being printed. And this is at a time when we needed someone to help keep the Blues alive and they did just that. Now today here in 2011, the Blues is Alive and Well as ever before. I'm honored to receive the 2011 Critics Poll Living Blues Award for Contemporary Blues Album of the Year. Keep on living the Blues, Living Blues!"

Neal is no stranger to awards. His 2008 comeback release, Let Life Flow, raked in the accolades: three prestigious Album Of The Year awards, two Song of The Year awards for the title track, and Kenny himself garnered two Artist of the Year honors. Kenny is currently nominated for a 2011 Blues Blast Award for Best Male Blues Artist of the Year.<< Return to the Blind Pig News Page